Kathmandu | 28 Aug 2026
At least 84 Indian nationals have been rescued after catastrophic Nepal floods devastated the Bhote Koshi–Trishuli river basin, while about 290 Indians remained uncontactable in the latest Indian government updates. Nepal Police said on Friday that the death toll had risen to 469 as search teams continued operations across flood-hit districts and authorities monitored the risk of further flooding from the Tibet side.
84 Indians rescued as authorities trace stranded pilgrims and workers
India’s Ministry of External Affairs said 63 Indian nationals working at the Trishuli-I hydropower project had been rescued. They joined 21 people from Tamil Nadu, who were travelling for the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra and were rescued earlier, taking the confirmed number of rescued Indians to 84.
The number of Indians still out of contact has been changing as communications are restored and rescue teams verify the whereabouts of different groups. The MEA initially put the figure at 288 on Thursday and subsequent updates and reports citing the ministry placed it at about 290.
Officials have stressed that “uncontactable” does not necessarily mean confirmed missing or dead. Communications and road links were severely disrupted across the disaster zone, complicating efforts to establish the location of travellers and workers.
Around 200 other Indian nationals on the Tibet side, many associated with the Kailash Mansarovar pilgrimage, have also sought assistance for evacuation. Indian authorities are coordinating with officials in Nepal and China.
Nepal flood death toll rises to 469
Nepal Police said on Friday that 469 bodies had been recovered following the devastating flash flood. It also reported that 1,545 people had been rescued from affected areas.
Nepal’s National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority had listed 977 people as missing or out of contact in its latest status report available from Thursday. The figures remain subject to revision as bodies are identified, survivors are located and information arrives from areas where communication systems were damaged.
Thousands of security personnel have been deployed in search-and-rescue operations, while helicopters, drones and ground teams are being used to reach isolated settlements and search riverbanks and debris fields.
Flood surged into Nepal from Tibet after Himalayan collapse
The disaster struck on 26 August when a massive surge entered Nepal from the Tibet side and moved through the Bhote Koshi river system into the Trishuli, devastating areas including Timure, Syaphrubesi and Rasuwagadhi before causing destruction farther downstream.
Preliminary assessments by Nepali authorities and geological analysis indicate that an ice-and-rock or glacial collapse generated a major debris flow and flood. Early reports had raised the possibility of an earthquake, but subsequent analysis indicated that the seismic signal was associated with the collapse rather than being the primary cause of the disaster.
The flood destroyed critical infrastructure. Nepal’s Department of Roads said the 42-kilometre road between Betrawati and the Rasuwagadhi border was damaged at multiple locations, with several bridges also swept away.
New barrier lake keeps downstream areas on alert
Authorities have also warned of a continuing risk from a barrier lake formed upstream on the Tibetan side. Nepal’s hydrological authorities said they had received information from China about the development and advised people along the Bhote Koshi and Trishuli river corridors to remain away from riverbanks and follow official warnings.
The possibility of another sudden release of water has added urgency to rescue work in areas already cut off by collapsed roads, destroyed bridges and heavy deposits of mud and debris.
India sends 47.5 tonnes of emergency assistance to Nepal
India has sent 47.5 tonnes of humanitarian and disaster-relief supplies to Nepal aboard two military transport aircraft. The assistance includes temporary shelters, tents, blankets, hygiene kits, solar lamps, dewatering pumps, generators, medicines and food supplies.
The MEA has also said India is mobilising Bailey bridges to support relief and connectivity requirements if requested by Nepal. Indian and Nepali authorities remain in contact over rescue operations and assistance for affected nationals.
Indian Embassy issues emergency helplines
The Embassy of India in Kathmandu has asked Indian nationals affected by the flash floods or their families seeking information to contact its emergency numbers: +977 985 131 6807, +977 970 910 7500 and +977 981 032 6117. The embassy says the numbers can also be contacted through WhatsApp.
Search, rescue and identification operations remain under way, and casualty and missing-person figures are expected to change as authorities receive verified information from the affected region.
